Method and apparatus for screen printing



Aug. 10, 1965 I nloio oo o\( I o oloouaoo 83 W H ob oooo f II M. L. JAFFA ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCREEN PRINTING Filed Dec. 18, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS Maflhew L. Jaffa David Jaffa ATTORNEY Aug- 0, 1965 M. L. JAFFA ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCREEN PRINTING 4 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Dec. 18, 1961 FIG.3

FIG.4

INVENTORS Maifhew L.Jaffa y David Jaffa ATTORNEY Aug- 1965 M. L. JAFFA ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCREEN PRINTING Filed Dec. 18, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 V.P. 42C

Y mfifi E 0 a a N M J J R u 0 M w WV I a n D A an a M Aug. 10, 1965 M. 1... JAFFA ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCREEN PRINTING Filed Dec. 18, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIGS) LEI 1 MY 3 Mun h E 36 N N R m w m N T I mm A "W M United States Patent 3,199,449 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SCREEN PRINTING Matthew L. Haifa, 92 Clark Court, Rutherford, N.J., and David .laila, 38-26 Allwood Place, Fair Lawn, NJ. Filled Dec. 18, 1961, Ser. No. 159,956 7 Claims. (Cl. 101-129) This invention relates in general to a method and apparatus for screen printing, and more specifically to an improved method and apparatus for screen printing repeating design on a continuous strip of material.

Heretofore, in screen printing a design on continuous strips of material it was customary to carry out the indexing of the material and subsequent printing of material in sequential steps or operations. Even in high speed machine each operation required a lapse of a predetermined amount or" time before the next operation could be performed. Consequently, the time required to print a given design by known machine or methods was equal to the sum of the time it took to perform each of the necessary succeeding operation or series of steps, as for example, indexing the material by driving a belt on which the material is supported, positioning the screen and associated squeegee on the material, printing the material by moving either the squeegee or the screen during the printing stroke, raising the screen and squeegee off the material, returning the screen to start position, and repeating the indexing of the material again in readiness for the next repeat.

Also in the known continuous strip screen printing machines, the material Was indexed for each repeat by laying the material on a belt that was directly driven by driving rollers. In such machines it has been noted that the direct driving of a belt tended to induce a stretch to the belt. The induced stretch of the belt in turn caused the material to stretch. Consequently, the added stretch of the belt and material resulting from such directly driven indexing belts tended to distort and decrease the accuracy of the indexing and printing of the design.

Therefore an object of this invention is to provide an improved method for screen printing repeating designs on continuous strips of material at a considerably faster rate than by the methods now known.

Another object is to provide a machine for automatically performing the improved method of this invention.

Still another object is to provide for improved means and manner of increasing the accuracy of the indexing and printing operation or step.

Still another object of this invention is to provide for the respective and opposite movement of the screen and squeegee relative to each other during the screen printing operation an amount sufiicient to assure that the squeegee overrides the stenciled area of the screen to provide the necessary overlap for accurate printing and positive indexing.

The objects and other features and advantages are attained by an improved screen printing method in which both the indexing and printing operations are conducted simultaneously; i.e. the printing stroke is occurring at the same time that the material is being indexed for the next repeat. In accordance with this invention, the method is preferably automatically carried out on a machine that includes an endless belt on which the vmaterial to be printed is supported, means for positively holding the belt and material thereon in its exact stopping position, a printing head including the screen reciprocally mounted for movement with the belt for indexing the same, means for moving the screen and associated squeegee vertically between printing and non-printing positions, means for gripping the printing head to the belt and materials,

dd haldh Patented Aug. E0, 1965 means for reciprocating the printing head to index the belt and material gripped thereto when the screen and squeegee are in printing position; and means to provide for the respective and relative opposite movement of the screen and its associated squeegee during the indexing stroke to effect simultaneous printing of the material and whereby the relative movement of the screen and squeegee effect sufiicient overriding of the squeegee to assure for accurate indexing and printing of the material.

Therefore a feature of this invention resides in the provision wherein the indexing and printing of the material are simultaneously performed and thereby eliminate a heretofore time consuming step or operation.

Another feature resides in the relative and opposite respective movements of the screen and its squeegee during the printing and indexing operation to assure for accurate alignment of each repeat, the relative movement of the squeegee and screen further reducing the time required to traverse the printing and indexing stroke.

Still another feature resides in the particular manner in which the belt is indirectly driven so as to assure elimination of stretch in both the belt and material supported thereon during printing and indexing of the material.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a perforated belt utilized in conjunction with means for producing a vacuum as a means for firmly securing the belt and material in exact stopping position before and after printing and indexing operations; e.g. during the return of the printing head upon the completion of the printing and indexing stroke.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the following description and drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the screen printing machine by which the improved method of this invention is automatically carried out.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the machine of FIG. 1 but shown without the squeegee assembly.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic side elevation view of the machine.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail view of one form of a belt gripping means.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail of the screen raising cam.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail plan view of the vacuum belt support table.

FIG. 7 is a section view taken along line 77 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a detail side elevation view of the vacuum belt carriage clamp assembly of this invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is an end view of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a detail plan view of the vacuum belt subassembly.

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of FIG. 11.

The instant invention is directed to an improved method of screen printing repeating designs on a continuous strip of material and primarily a fabric material. The method to be described, however, may be equally applicable for the screen printing of paper, cardboard, metal, glass or plastic, either in a continuous web or in individual units. It will be understood that the expression repeating design is here-in meant to include the printing of a single continuous distinct design in succeeding sections; as Well as to the repeating of a given design several times on a continuous strip of material.

The improved method of this invention comprises the steps of continuously and successively taking a section of a sheet material from a source of continuous supply and placing the same on a movable or indexing belt. Preferably the belt is perforated and is movably mounted to slide over a perforated table that is connected up to a suction or a pressure reducing device so that by evacuating 3 the air from beneath the belt and material the same may be held fast in its exact stopping position.

A printing head including a carriage containing a screen or a series of screens and associated Squeegees is placed over the material to be printed. In accordance with this invention the material to be printed is held fast to the belt by evacuating the air to create a suction or vacuum under the belt as the printing head is positioned thereon. With the belt held fast and the printing head in position the screen and associated squeegee are lowered onto the material into printing position. With the screen in printing position the belt and material are secured to the printing head. With the carriage, belt and material secured,

the vacuum holding the belt and material fast is released.

The carriage, including the screen, belt and material, is then driven as one in the direction of belt travel causing the screen to pass the squeegee a distance equal to the repeat of the design. The relative movement of the screen past the squeegee causes the color to flow out of the leading well portion of the screen onto the material. In this manner the material is indexed at the same time that it is being printed, the belt and material being indirectly driven to minimize stretch.

To insure accurate indexing and printing of the material an important aspect of the improved method is to provide for a slight movement'of the squeegee relative to the screen in a direction opposite to the movement of the screen or the direction of the belt travel an amount sufficient to permit the squeegee to override the printing or stenciled area of the screen. In this manner the squeegee, upon the termination of the printing and indexing stroke, will be disposed in the opposite or trailing well portion of the screen. The degree of overlap afforded by this relative movement between squeegee and screen enhances the registration of the design to be printed with the previously printed design.

According to the method of this invention, the forward end of the printing screen is gradually raised above the surface of the material as the printing carriage and the belt advance during the printing and indexing step so that at the end of the indexing step the screen is completely separated from the printed material. At this point the suction onthe belt is again applied to hold the indexing belt in its exact stopping position; and the gripping means securing the carriage to the belt released. The squeegee is then raised off the screen and the screen raised to level position above the belt. With the screen and associated squeegee off the belt and material, the carriage including the screen is returned to initial start position in preparation to repeat the operation.

While it is theoretically possible to perform the above described method by hand, practical commercial application of the described method dictates that it be automatically performed. Therefore, by reference to the drawing there is illustrated an improved machine for automatically performing the method of screen printing a continuous strip of material as above described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the machine comprises a frame or bed 21 The frame 21 is defined by corner upright leg members 22 interconnected by longitudinally and transversely extending structure tie member 23, 24 respectively. Mounted adjacent each end of the frame 21 are rollers 25 and 2s rotatably journaled in suitable bearings 27. Stretched over the rollers 25 and 26 is an endless belt having an upper flight 23A and lower flight 28B.

Connected to the frame or bed 21 and extending between rollers 25 and 26 is a belt sub-assembly 29. As shown in FIGS. 1, 11 and 12, the belt sub-assembly 29 comprises spaced parallel sides 30, each including spaced vertical supports 31 for supporting the sub-assembly 29 on upper longitudinal member 23 of the frame 21. Between the upright supports 31 extend a pair of spaced structural members 32, 33.

A plurality of spaced transversely extending cross-tie members 34 extend between the opposed sides 30 of the frame sub-assembly 29. As shown in FIG. 11, the upper longitudinal members 32 of the sub-assembly 29 consist of an angle member having its flange 32A turned inwardly. Flange 32A, disposed in a substantially horizontal plane, defines a rail on which the printing head 35 is free to slide or roll, as will be hereinafter described.

Supported on the frame sub-assembly 29 and between sides 3t) of the sub-assembly 29 is a table frame 36. The table frame 36 comprises simply rectangularly disposed structural members supported between the sides 36 of the frame sub-assembly 29. Supported on the table frame 36 is a table top 37. As shown, in FIGS. 1 and 2 the table top 37 is disposed immediately below the upper flight 23A of the belt 28 to form a support therefor.

in the illustrated embodiment the table top 37 and the belt 28 are each provided with a series of perforations or holes 4t), 44 respectively. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the table top 37 consists of a table member 38 having a surface 33A formed with a series of spaced transversely extending grooves 38B. Extended over the surface of the table member 3% is a covering sheet 39 to define a smooth fiat surface. This covering sheet 39 may consist of a sheet of thermosetting plastic, e.g. Formica or the like. Formed in the covering sheet 39 and in alignment with each of the transversely extending grooves 383 are a series of holes 40. Each of holes 441: is thus in communication with their respective grooves 383. Grooves 338 in turn are connected by a bore 41 in communication with a chamber 42 defined by a groove 42A formed in a block 42B connected to and extended transversely of the member 33 and in alignment with groove 383. The chamber 42; defined by the groove 42A in block 4213, in turn, is connected to a suitable vacuum producing means or pressure reducing means 420 by a' suitable conduit 42;!) connected to a hole 43 which forms an outlet for exhausting air from the chambers 38B and 42A. Thus it will be apparent that the openings or perforations 4% formed in the table covering 39 are connected to the pressure reducing means 420, which, when energized, will draw or evacuate the air from channels 338 and 42. and thereby create a suction on the belt supported on top 39. This suction holds the belt fast.

The belt 28, arranged to be supported on the perforated tabe top 39, is likewise formed with a series of openings 44 therein which are arranged to register with some of the holes 40 in the table top. Thus when a strip of material is positioned over the belt 28, the material is held fast to the belt 28 and the belt held fast to the table top 37 upon the reduction of pressure or the creation of the vacuum therebeneath.

In accordance with this invention the printing head 35 is reciprocally mounted on the frame sub-assembly 29. As shown in FIG. '1, the printing head includes a carriage having opposed side assemblies 35A interconnected by suitable cross-ties 358 to define a rectangular structure. Each side assembly 35A includes corner posts 4-5 interconnected by longitudinal stringers 46 and 47. Stringer 46 comprises an angle member having a leg portion 46A turned inwardly of the carriage so as to be disposed in a horizontal plane. Spaced below the stringer 46 is a second stringer 47 and it too is an angle member. Stringer 47 has its leg or flange 47A turned inwardly and parallel to the flange 46A of stringer 46.

A plurality .of spaced piston and cylinder assemblies 48, preferably pneumatically operated, are mounted on flange 47A of the lower stringer 47. Fixed to the piston rod 48A of the respective piston and cylinder assembly 43 is a lon gitudinally extending plate 49 which is common to the piston rods 48A of each piston and cylinder assembly 48.

As shown in 'FIGS. 4, 8, and 10, the flange 46A of stringer 46 and the plate 49 connected to the piston assemblies 48 are disposed, respectively, above and below the marginal portion of the upper flight 28A of the belt 23. Thus flange 46A and plate 49 function as a mechanical grip for securing the carriage 35 to the belt 28 as will be hereinafter described.

In accordance with this invention the flange 45A of the opposed side members 35A constituted the fixed jaw of a mechanical gripper means. The plate 4Q connected to the piston rods 48 form the movement jaw of the gripper means. When the piston and cylinder assemblies become energized, by either pneumatic or hydraulic pressure, the movable jaw 49 is moved outwardly toward fixed flange 46A to clamp therebetween the belt 28. A guide 56 connected to the ends of the movable jaw or plate 49 rides in an elongated slot 51 formed in the corner post 45 and serves to guide plate 49. Rollers 52 rotatably journaled on suitable pins 53 connected to extend outwardly from each corner post 45 guide the carriage 35 for reciprocable movement along the rails 39 defined by the frame subassembly 29.

With this construction of the gripper means described it is recognized that the inturned flange 46A occupies a marginal portion of the belt 28, and therefore decreases the useful area of the belt 23 by an amount equal to the sum of the areas of the respective fixed jaws 46A. Therefore, if it is preferred to utilize this portion of the belt, it will be understood that a vacuum type gripping means (not shown) may be substituted in lieu of the mechanical grippers described. Gripping the carriage 35 to the belt 28 by such vacuum gripper will function in the manner similar to that hereinbefore described with reference to the vacuum belt holding table top 37. With a vacuum gripping means, the entire surface area of the belt 28 is free to be utilized. Thus a larger printing area is afforcled by vacuum grippers without a resulting increase in the overall width of a given belt.

Supported Within the carriage are one or more printing screens 55. the carriage, they are spaced one from the other so that the distance between the stenciled portions thereof is equal to the index of the repeat. Each printing screen 55 therefore consists of a central stenciled portion which forms the area of design to be printed, and impervious areas or well portions disposed on either side of the stencil portion for containing the color to be forced through the screen. Thus, the impervious or well portions overextend the printed area of the preceding printed design. For example, for a repeat of 72 inches the length of the screen may be 84 inches. This then provides for a 6 inch well on either side of the repeat. Such silk screen constructions are well known, as exemplified by US Patents 2,545,277, 2,566,919. Therefore a more detailed description of such screen is not considered essential to an understanding of this invention.

According to this invent-ion each screen 55 is supported within the carriage 35 for vertical movement between operative printing position and inoperative non-printing position. Piston and cylinder assemblies 56 operatively connected to each screen serve to raise and lower the respective screens in and out of printing position.

Operatively associated with each screen 55 is a squeegee 57. As shown in FIG. 3 the squeegee 57 extends transversely of its respective screen 55 and each is connected to the piston rod 58 of a fluid actuated piston and cylinder 59 assembly. In the illustrated embodiment the piston rod 53 on which the squeegees 57 are mounted in arranged to move the squeegees 57 relative to their respective screens 55 in a direction opposite to the travel of the belt during the printing stroke. For example, when the carriage 35, belt 28, and material move to the left as indicated by arrow 69, the squeegees 57 are moved slightly in the opposite direction. According to this invention, the squeegees are also mounted for vertical movement between printing and non-printing position. Piston and cylinder assemblies 51 function to raise and lower the squeegees and their actuating piston and cylinder assembly 59 between printing and non-printing positions.

Inclined cam means 62 are connected to the sub-assem- If more than one screen 55 is supported in bly 29 adjacent the side of the carriage 35. The cams 62 are arranged with respect to the respective screens supported within the carriage 35 to effect gradual raising of the forward end of the respective screens 55 as the printing carriage 35 and screens 55 carried thereby are advanced through the printing cycle of the machine. This is attained by cam followers 55' connected to screen 55 riding up inclined cams 62 as the carriage and screen carried thereby is advanced during a printing and indexing stroke. The arrangement of the cams 62 and associated screens 55 is such that the screens 55 are vertically displaced so as to be completely separated from the printed material at the end of the printing stroke.

In accordance with this invention, the belt 28 and material supported thereon are indexed by a drive means acting directly on the carriage 35. For indexing the belt, the gripper jaws MA, 49 are actuated to secure the carriage 35 to the belt 23 with material supported thereon. As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage is connected to the frame by a linkage assembly consisting of a first link 65 pivoted at one end to the carriage 35 and a second link 66 pivoted at one end to the frame 21 with the adjacent ends of the link 65, 66 pivotally connected at 73 (FIG. 2). Means for driving the carriage 35 include a motor 67 connected to a gear train 69 by a belt drive 68. The gear train 69 in turn meshes with main gear '7 t) rotatably mounted on a vertical shaft 76A. Connected to gear 7 it is a crank arm 71. The crank arm 71 in turn is pivotally connected at one end to a connecting link 72. The other end of link 72 connects to an intermediate point of link 66.

Thus it will be observed that actuation of the motor 57 actuates carriage drive linkage 65, 6d, 72, 71 in a manner to transmit a linear movement to the carriage and belt connected thereto.

If desired means 7 5 may be provided for infinite indexing of the printing stroke between two given points. This is readily attained in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 by a plate 76 connected to carriage link 66. Plate 76 is formed with an arcuate slot 77 in which the end of link 72 may be adjustably connected. Thus, it will be noted that by adjusting the end of link 72 relative to the slot 77 of plate 76, the throw of the carriage links 65, 66 may be varied accordingly and thus effect the means for adjusting or controlling the travel of the carriage 35 and belt 28 secured thereto for any given design consideration. While a mechanical gear type drive is described, it will be appreciated that the same may be attained by a pneumatic or hydraulic drive.

To complete the description of the machine assembly, the machine described has a take off assembly 30 fixed to one end of the frame 21. As shown, the take off assembly 30 consists of a main drive roller 81 and a plurality of idler rollers 82 spaced from the main roller 81. Suitable support brackets 33 space the idlers 82 from the main roller 81. Each of the idlers 82 in turn are connected in driving relationship to the main roller 81 by a series of belt drives 84.

Having thus described the essential structural features of the machine, the operation of the machine is as follows:

The desired index or repeat of the design to be printed is first adjusted by properly fixing the end of link '72 in the proper relationship with respect to slot 7-7 of plate 76- With this adjustment set the material is then positioned on v the belt and the belt and material held fast by actuating the vacuum or low pressure means to evacuate the air from beneath the belt and material.

The printing head 35 is then positioned over the material in the start position. Screens 55 carried thereby and the associated Squeegees 57 are then respectively lowered into printing position onto the material by the actuation of the cylinder and piston assembly 56 and 61, respectively. With the screen 55 and squeegee 57 placed in printing position on the material, the Squeegees 57 are initially dis posed in the loading or forward well portion of their respective screens 55. Upon the lowering of the screens agendas 'i' 55 and squeegees 57 to printing position on the material the gripping jaws 46A, 49 on the sides 35A of the carriage 35 are actuated to firmly grip the belt 28 and mate- .rial thereon to the carriage 35. With the belt 28 firmly gripped by the carriage gripping means, the vacuum holding the belt fast is released.

At this point the motor 67 of the carriage drive means is actuated to move as a unit the carriage 35, the screens 55 and the belt 2% and material gripped thereto in the direction of belt travel. In doing so the screens 55 move relative to the respective squeegees 57. It will thus be noted that the drive mechanism is acting directly on the carriage; with the belt 28 and material gripped by the carriage 35 being indirectly driven thereby. In this manner any tendency of the belt 28 and/or material to stretch during the printing stroke is virtually eliminated.

By moving the screens 55' relative to the squeegees 57 the color in the leading well portion of the screen is forced .to flow through the stenciled portion of the screen onto the material to print the design of the given stencil.

As the carriage, screen, belt and material gripped thereby are moving through the printing stroke, the forward .ends of the respective screens are gradually raised oif the material due to the action of the screens 55 relative to cams 62; so that at the end of the printing stroke the screen is completely raised off the material.

in accordance with the invention, to assure that the printing area is the same length as the repeat or the index travel of the belt 28, the respective squeegees 57 are moved upon actuation of piston and cylinder assembly 59 in a direction opposite to the direction of belt travel. The squeegces 57 are moved relative to the screens 55 an amount sufiicient to insure that the squeegees 57 terminate in the opposite or trailing Well portion of the screen at the end of the printing stroke. Thus the carriage 35, screen 55, belt 238, the material, and squeegee 57 are all in motion simultaneously. The simultaneous motion is such that the carriage 35, screen 55, belt and material are all traveling in one direction as a unit at a given rate and the squeegees 57 moving at a lesser rate in a direction opposed to the travel of the belt 23. This relative movement assures the necessary overlap of the squeegees relative to the printed designs.

At the completion of printing stroke, the vacuum means is actuated to create the vacuum or suction to hold the belt and material in its exact stopping position. At this point the gripper means of the carriage securing the belt 28 is released. Squeegees 57 are then raised by means of cylinder assembly 59 above the belt. The carriage with the screens therein is then returned to an initial start position, and the apparatus is positioned to repeat the operation.

While the instant invention has been disclosed with reference to a particular method and a particular embodiment for practicing the same, it is to be appreciated that the invention is not to be taken as limited to all of the details thereof as modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of continuously screen printing sequential designs on a continuous strip of material comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning a screen having a stencilled portion and opposed leading and trailing Well portions with an associated movable squeegee onto the material to be printed whereby said squeegee is initially disposed in the leading Well portion of the screen, and

(b) printing and indexing said material simultaneously by moving both the screen and the material to be printed in the same direction and at the same speed a predetermined relative amount relative to said associated squeegee acting on said screen,

(c) and moving said squeegee during said printing and indexing step relative to said moving screen and material whereby said moving associated squeegee forces the color in the leading well of the moving screen through the stencilled portion thereof and onto the material moving with said screen.

2. The invention as defined in claim It and including the steps of (a) maintaining the material fixed after a printing and indexing step, and

(b) returning said screen and associated squeegee to initial starting position to repeat the operation.

3. A method of screen printing repeating designs on a continuous strip of material comprising the steps of (a) positioning a screen having a stenciled portion and opposed leading and trailing Well portions and associated movable squeegee onto the material to be printed, whereby said squeegee is initially disposed in the leading well portion of the screen,

(b) printing and indexing said material simultaneously by moving both the screen and material to be printed at the same speed a predetermined amount relative to the associated squeegee acting on said screen to cause the color in the leading well of the screen to be forced through the stencil portion and onto the indexing material, and

(c) simultaneously moving said squeegee relative to said moving screen and material during the printing and indexing of said material in a direction opposite to that of the screen an amount sufiicient to position said squeegee in the opposite well portion of the screen at the end of said predetermined movement of said screen and material.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 and including the steps of (a) gradually raising the screen off the material as it passes the squeegee so that at the end of the predetermined movement of the screen, the printing screen is completely off the material.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 and including the steps of (a) raising the squeegee vertically above the screen at the end of the movement of said screen,

(b) repositioning the screen to a level plane above the material,

(0) and returning the screen and squeegee to their respective initial positions in readiness to repeat the operation.

6. A method of continuous screen printing repeating designs on a continuous strip of fabric material comprising the steps of (a) positioning a screen having a stenciled portion and opposed leading and trailing well portion and associated squeegee onto the material to be printed so that said squeegee is initially disposed transversely of the screen in the leading well portion of the screen,

(b) printing and indexing simultaneously said material by moving both the screen and material to be printed at the same speed a predetermined amount relative to a squeegee acting on said stencil to cause the color in the leading Well of said screen to be forced through the stencil and onto the material,

(0) simultaneously moving said squeegee relative said screen in a direction opposite to that of the screen an amount suificient to position the squeegee in the opposite well portion of the screen at the end of said predetermined movement of said screen and material,

(d) and repositioning said screen and squeegee to their respective initial positions relative said material in readiness to repeat the operation.

7. A method of screen printing repeating designs on a continuous strip of fabric material comprising the steps of (a) positioning a strip of fabric material on a support,

(b) fixing said material to said support so as to be immovable relative thereto,

(0) placing a printing head including a screen having 9 a stenciled portion with oppositely disposed leading and trailing Well portions and an associated movable squeegee onto the material fixed on the support so that the squeegee is initially disposed in the leading Well of the screen and extends transversely thereof;

(d) securing the printing head positioned on said material to said support in a manner to prohibit relative linear movement therehetween;

(e) printing and indexing the material simultaneously by longitudinally moving the printing head and support secured thereto with material fixed thereto in a linear direction a predetermined amount relative to the said associated squeegee acting on said screen to force the color through the stenciled portion of the screen and onto the material,

(t) moving said associated squeegee longitudinally relative to said moving screen in a direction opposite hat of the screen an amount sufficient to position said moving squeegee in the trailing well portion of the screen at the end of the printing and indexing move- (h) raising the squeegee vertically above the screen at the termination of said printing and indexing movement,

(i) repositioning the screen to a level plane above the material at the end of said movement,

(3') and returning the printing head and associated squeegee to their respective initial non-printing positions in readiness to repeat the operation.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,6871080 10/28 Beck 101 -123 1,821,302 9/31 Gorner 101123 X 2,002,335 5/35 Barnard 101124 2,339,423 1/44 Pollard 101126 2,400,700 5/46 McCurrach 101129 2,421,410 6/47 Bucklin 101129 2,545,277 3/51 Hannah et al. 101 127.1 2,566,919 9/51 Black 1 01127.1 X 2,710,577 6/55 Prett 101124 2,771,839 11/56 Ragan 101126 2,917,997 12/59 Black 101127 3,078,793 2/63 Jaffa et al. 101-127.1

WILLIAM B. PENN, Primary Examiner.

DAVID KLEIN, Examiner. 

1. A METHOD OF CONTINUOUSLY SCREEN PRINTING SEQUENTIAL DESIGNS ON A CONTINUOUS STRIP OF MATERIAL COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: (A) POSITIONING A SCREEN HAVING A STENCILED PORTION AND OPPOSED LEADING AND TRAILING WELL PORTIONS WITH AN ASSOCIATED MOVABLE SQUEEGEE ONTO THE MATERIAL TO BE PRINTED WHEREBY SAID SQUEEGEE IS INITIALLY DISPOSED IN THE LEADING WELL PORTION OF THE SCREEN, AND (B) PRINTING AND INDEXING SAID MATERIAL SIMULTANEOUSLY BY MOVING BOTH THE SCREEN AND THE MATERIAL TO BE PRINTED IN THE SAME DIRECTION AND AT THE SAME SPEED A PREDETERMINED RELATIVE AMOUNT RELATIVE TO SAID ASSOCIATED SQUEEGEE ACTING ON SAID SCREEN, (C) AND MOVING SAID SQUEEGEE DURING SAID PRINTING AND INDEXING STEP RELATIVE TO SAID MOVING SCREEN AND MATERIAL WHEREBY SAID MOVING ASSOCIATED SQUEEGEE FORCES THE COLOR IN THE LEADING WELL OF THE MOVING SCREEN THROUGH THE STENCILLED PORTION THEREOF AND ONTO THE MATERIAL MOVING WITH SAID SCREEN. 